Months ago we heard news of the “nation’s first carbon-positive hotel”—a 13-floor, 130-000-sf cement tower with a triangular layout and eye-shaped windows. Populus, designed by Studio Gang and developed by Urban Villages, broke ground in Denver, Colo., last year with plans to be operational by summer 2024. What makes Populus a carbon-positive project is a collection of variables, from minimizing waste to using fewer finish materials. But there’s one huge driver behind the green initiative: sustainable concrete.
ECOPact is an optimized, low-carbon concrete made from large amounts of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM). With lower embodied carbon content compared to conventional concrete, ECOPact aims to be an attractive alternative for sustainability-driven engineers.
Sustainable concrete: ECOPact
Designed by Holcim, a sustainable building materials supplier, ECOPact offers a low-carbon alternative that not only meets, but exceeds the properties of standard (CEM I) concrete. This allows the material to be used in all traditional applications: structural components like foundations, columns and beams; to walls, driveways, bridges, and more.
ECOPact Tiers
Rather than having a one-size-fits-all product, Holcim delivers ECOPact in a three-tiered system:
- ECOPact (30–50% reduction in carbon emissions)
- ECOPact Prime (50–70% reduction)
- ECOPACT Max (70–90% reduction)
Each tier can be enhanced with the addition of recycled concrete aggregates ECOPact+ range, according to the company. Kevin Peart, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Mountain Region, Holcim, believes that Holcim has become “one of the first movers in the concrete industry.”
For the Populus hotel, this sustainable concrete was integral to the design process. The project’s utilization of ECOPact accounts for 65% of the total cubic yards of concrete poured, with an anticipated reduction of 765 tons in the concrete's embodied carbon compared to traditional concrete.
A similar story is told at 55 H Street, a Georgetown University residence hall (above). The project team had a specific challenge: they needed a concrete blend capable of attaining a 28-day design strength of 5,000 psi, while also achieving a high-early strength of 3,000 psi within a span of two to three days. ECOPact delivered, and 55 H Street became “one of the most sustainable buildings in D.C.,” says Zachary Lovett, Project Pursuit Manager, Holcim.
As the built environment continues to find ways to reduce its impact on the planet, innovative materials like ECOPact may help drive the change that architects, engineers, and contractors desire.
Related Stories
Concrete Technology | Apr 24, 2023
A housing complex outside Paris is touted as the world’s first fully recycled concrete building
Outside Paris, Holcim, a Swiss-based provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions, and Seqens, a social housing provider in France, are partnering to build Recygénie—a 220-unit housing complex, including 70 social housing units. Holcim is calling the project the world’s first fully recycled concrete building.
Design Innovation Report | Apr 19, 2023
Reinforced concrete walls and fins stiffen and shade the National Bank of Kuwait skyscraper
When the National Bank of Kuwait first conceived its new headquarters more than a decade ago, it wanted to make a statement about passive design with a soaring tower that could withstand the extreme heat of Kuwait City, the country’s desert capital.
3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023
University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed
The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete.
Concrete | Mar 17, 2023
American Concrete Institute releases new guide for shotcrete construction
The American Concrete Institute, through the work of ACI Committee 506, has released ACI PRC-506-22: Shotcrete—Guide. The newly introduced guide provides information on materials and properties of both dry-mix and wet-mix shotcrete and covers most facets of the shotcrete process including application procedures, equipment requirements, and responsibilities of the shotcrete crew.
Student Housing | Mar 13, 2023
University of Oklahoma, Missouri S&T add storm-safe spaces in student housing buildings for tornado protection
More universities are incorporating reinforced rooms in student housing designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students. Storm shelters have been included in recent KWK Architects-designed university projects in the Great Plains where there is a high incidence of tornadoes. Projects include Headington and Dunham Residential Colleges at the University of Oklahoma and the University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T.
Concrete | Jan 24, 2023
Researchers investigate ancient Roman concrete to make durable, lower carbon mortar
Researchers have turned to an ancient Roman concrete recipe to develop more durable concrete that lasts for centuries and can potentially reduce the carbon impact of the built environment.
75 Top Building Products | Nov 30, 2022
75 top building products for 2022
Each year, the Building Design+Construction editorial team evaluates the vast universe of new and updated products, materials, and systems for the U.S. building design and construction market. The best-of-the-best products make up our annual 75 Top Products report.
Building Materials | Aug 3, 2022
Shawmut CEO Les Hiscoe on coping with a shaky supply chain in construction
BD+C's John Caulfield interviews Les Hiscoe, CEO of Shawmut Design and Construction, about how his firm keeps projects on schedule and budget in the face of shortages, delays, and price volatility.
Concrete | Jul 26, 2022
Consortium to set standards and create markets for low-carbon concrete
A consortium of construction firms, property developers, and building engineers have pledged to drive down the carbon emissions of concrete.
Reconstruction & Renovation | May 4, 2022
AIA course: Concrete buildings — Effective solutions for restoration and major repairs
The history of concrete construction between 1950 and 1970 offers architects and construction professionals a framework for how to rehabilitate these buildings today using both time-tested and emerging technologies. This course, worth 1.0 AIA LU, was authored by Henry Moss, AIA, LEED AP, Principal with Bruner/Cott Architects.
